Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 15, 2003

 

CERUS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Item 5.  Other Events.

 

On October 15, 2003, Cerus Corporation (the “Company”) announced that it is restructuring its operations to focus on its pathogen inactivation products for platelets and plasma and on its pipeline of therapeutics and vaccines.  In addition, the Company announced that Baxter Capital Corporation, a financial subsidiary of Baxter International Inc., commenced legal proceedings against the Company seeking repayment of amounts outstanding under a credit facility it provided to Cerus.  Copies of the Company’s press releases related to the above matters are attached as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 hereto, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
99.1		Press Release, dated October 15, 2003, entitled “Cerus Realigns Development Efforts and Reduces Expenses.”
99.2		Press Release, dated October 15, 2003, entitled “Cerus Announces Loan Dispute with Baxter Capital.”

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

		CERUS CORPORATION
Dated:  October 15, 2003		By:	/s/  Gregory W. Schafer
			Gregory W. Schafer
			Vice President, Finance and
			Chief Financial Officer

 

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Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
99.1		Press Release, dated October 15, 2003, entitled “Cerus Realigns Development Efforts and Reduces Expenses.”
99.2		Press Release, dated October 15, 2003, entitled “Cerus Announces Loan Dispute with Baxter Capital.”

 

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